4 Tips To Improve The Performance Of Your Ice Machine
No beverage served at a restaurant or fast food joint would be complete without fresh ice. Commercial ice machines are tasked with generating enough ice cubes to meet customer demand.
Many aspects of the function of an ice machine may be out of your control, but there are some simple things that you can do to help improve the performance of your commercial ice machine over time.
Use these tips as you care for your ice machine to increase output, enhance the quality of your ice, and prevent serious breakdowns.
1. Use a Water Filter
One of the easiest things that you can do to control the quality of the ice produced by your commercial ice machine is to install a water filter. The water that is fed into the ice machine can have a direct impact on the performance of the machine over time.
A lot of municipal water supplies contain trace minerals. These minerals are deposited along the interior walls of pipes, tubes, and other components in your ice machine. Eventually, the mineral buildup becomes so significant that the ice machine can no longer function properly.
Water that contains minerals can also compromise the quality of your ice cubes. Ice cubes that are made from mineral-laden water can have a taste that alienates customers.
A water filter eliminates all impurities from your water supply before this water enters your ice maker. The result is a reduction in breakdowns and an increase in the quality of your ice.
2. Keep Your Ice Machine Clean
Regular cleaning is critical when it comes to caring for your commercial ice machine.
The internal components in the ice machine can become dirty over time. Eliminating this dirt and debris helps keep the ice machine functioning efficiently.
A dirty ice machine will usually produce ice cubes that are cloudy, small, or too soft. Customers will not be happy with the subpar ice produced by a dirty machine.
Establish a regular cleaning schedule to keep your ice machine clean and free of any contaminants that might compromise the quality of your ice cubes.
3. Monitor the Ambient Temperature
Ambient temperature is something that businesses can easily overlook when evaluating the performance of their ice machine. It's critical that you monitor the ambient air temperature near your ice machine if you want to improve its efficiency.
The ambient temperature shouldn't be too hot or too cold around your ice machine. Extreme temperatures can affect the ice-making process.
If the ambient temperature is too hot, your ice machine is forced to work harder to create ice cubes. This often leads to overheating and other performance issues. If the ambient temperature is too cold, the internal components within the ice machine could freeze up.
Make sure that your ice machine is located in an area where you can control the ambient air temperature to extend the machine's lifespan and improve its efficiency.
4. Schedule Routine Inspections
The best way to prevent your commercial ice machine from experiencing a massive failure is to invest in routine maintenance. Regular inspections give a trained technician the opportunity to examine your ice machine's internal components.
Any signs of premature wear or damage can be addressed, preventing a failed component from causing further damage in the future.
Your service technician can help you factor in your ice machine's workload to create an inspection schedule that will extend the life of your ice machine well into the future.
Caring for your ice machine is critical if you want your customers to have access to cool beverages. Work with your service technician to maximize the performance and efficiency of your commercial ice machine.